Fantasy Football: ‘Big game’ weeks kick off

Wednesday

Nov 27, 2013 at 4:20 PMNov 27, 2013 at 4:20 PM

How big is this week’s game for you? For many of you, it all comes down to this one week.

Some are comfortable awaiting the playoffs, while others are already spending time researching next year’s keepers. But the majority of fantasy football owners will be spending Week 13 either scratching for a postseason bid, or kicking off your playoffs.

Regardless of why, if this is the “Big Game” week for you, let’s find some nifty ways to help keep you alive.

Surprise plays

All of a sudden QB Carson Palmer is on a tear for the hot Cardinals, coming into this week with two straight 300-plus-yard efforts, both of which came in at over 22 playoff points in most scoring formats. Arizona next faces Philly, a team that has allowed the opposing QB to throw for over 300 yards in three of their last five games. I’ve moved Palmer up to No. 8 on my rankings; higher than anyone else I’ve seen.

RBs Matt Forte (vs. Vikings) and Darren McFadden (vs. Dallas) are both questionable for good matchups, and the Raiders top WR Denarius Moore has already been ruled out. Not that those guys are the catalysts to your playoff-charging teams, but every point counts on weeks like this, and those guys can not be relied upon.

Even Kansas City’s Jamaal Charles, ranked in the top 5 in any smart owner’s rankings for this week, is on pace for 400 touches this season, and is sure to see a decreased workload down the stretch. He’s a sure-play this week, but here are a few more who are surprisingly not: Seattle QB Russell Wilson (vs. Saints); Philly QB Nick Foles (vs. Arizona); RB Steven Jackson (vs. Bills); RB Ray Rice (vs. Steelers); WR Antonio Brown (vs. Ravens); and TE Jason Witten (vs. Raiders).

While you may not have anybody better to use instead, if one of these guys is in your starting lineup for a big game like this, you had better make sure there are no other options. This is not the time to be satisfied that your captain is going down with your ship. Instead, bench him, and let someone else bring you back to life.